Guidebar

ABSTRACT

A guidebar which may be positioned at intervals over a work surface by affixing fastening elements on the ends of the guidebar to evenly spaced mating members positioned along the margins of the work surface. The guidebar has two or more fastening elements on each end. The fastening elements on each end are at an interval unequal to that between the mating members along the margins so that the guidebar may be fixed at intervals on the work surface which are equal or unequal to the distance between the mating members positioned along the margins of the work surface.

O United States Patent [15] 3,638,322 Cunningham 1 Feb. 1, 1972 [54] GUIDEBAR 2,529,005 Ill 1950 Erickson ..33/80 X 4l9,640 1/1890 Class ..33/81 [721 ifig g' 368,928 8/1887 Buck ..33/8l [22] Filed: Dec. 23, 1969 Primary Examiner-Harry N. Haroian [211 pp. No 887 536 Attorney-Richards, Harris& Hubbard [57] ABSTRACT A guidebar which may be positioned at intervals over awork [58] d 334 5 1D surface by affixing fastening elements on the ends of the 5 guidebar to evenly spaced mating members positioned along the margins of the work surface. The guidebar has two or more fastening elements on each end. The fastening elements [56] Cited on each end are at an interval unequal to that between the UNITED STATES PATENTS mating members along the margins so that the guidebar may be fixed at intervals on the work surface which are equal or Benton M unequal to the disgance between the mating members posi- I 3? g; 1: tioned along the margins of the work surface. ieuw amp... 3,455,029 7/1969 Brandys ..33/ l 10 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures ITI PATENTED rm an 3538.322

SHEET 1 OF 2 317 r WAR 'I 'I' 'M I I OWOOO OOCLWG FIG 2 "(l-Ill ll-lll llIlll IIIII "III! "III! llll IIIII llllll FIG. 3

m lEl TGF ELMER HAROLD CUNNINGHAM ATTORNEY GUIDEBAR This invention relates to the field of graphic arts and more particularly to an assembly having a lock-in guidebar for use in drafting or positioning in other graphic arts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Drafting and other graphic arts require the use of positioning guides for accurate and efficient work. Many devices such as the common T-square have been used for positioning and guiding drafting instruments along particular horizontal lines. Many of the devices such as the T-square have presented problems particularly with respect to slipping and the difficulty of realigning the guide to a specific location after it had once been removed from that location.

Recently jig rules or lock-in guide rules have been used in the field of graphic arts to overcome some of the difficulties presented by the T-square and similar devices. The lock-in guide rules utilize two elongated side members or jig rules which are fastened to the side edges or margins of a drafting table or other work surface. The side members have a plurality of equally spaced elevated position posts or mating members to which a cross guide rule may be fastened. The cross guide rules in use have connecting units or fastening elements on each end which can either be snapped onto the elevated position posts or slipped onto them to fasten the guide rule firmly in a particular location. These lock-in guide rule assemblies have the advantages that they do not slip like a T-square and they may be easily returned to exactly the same location by fastening the connecting units on the ends of the guide rule to the particular position posts on the side jig rules where they have been previously fastened.

Lock-in guide rule assemblies also greatly facilitate the repetition of certain designs or forms at specified distances over the entire working area. This process is commonly used by litho printers and screen printers in a process designated step and repeat. Step and repeat" is very simply performed with a lock-in guide rule assembly because the guide rule may be moved a specified distance simply by removing the guide rule connectors from the side position posts and refastening them on new side position posts corresponding to the step or skip which is desired. For some purposes, the displays, designs or forms may be attached to the guide rule itself and photographic prints of the designs may then be made at each location of the guidebar. Post cards, tickets, labels, checks, statements, tags, business cards, etc., are made by such a process.

One of the principal difficulties associated with the lock-in guide rule assemblies currently in use is the fact that the lockin guide may be positioned only at locations which are multiples of the spacing between position posts on the side jig rules. In a common case, the position posts on the jig rules are spaced one-quarter of an inch apart. With this type of setup, the cross guide rule can be firmly attached to the jig rules only at intervals of one-quarter of an inch. The guide cannot be positioned and attached at any position between the onequarter inch intervals.

The present invention provides a lock-in guide assembly by means of which a cross guidebar may be secured to posts on side jig rules at intervals which are smaller than the interval between the fixed position posts. The invention thus provides the graphic arts field with a position guiding device which does not slip during usage, which may be easily returned to exactly the same location at any time and which permits the location of the guide intervals smaller than those between the fixed position posts on the side jig rules.

An object of this invention is to provide a jig rule assembly in which the guide cross bar may be positioned securely on side or margin position posts at intervals which are smaller than the interval between the fixed side positionposts.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device with which a firm guide crossbar may be easily and accurately positioned at any one of a set of locations which extend the entire length of the working area of the device and which are separated from adjacent locations by a small constant distance for use in drafting or other graphic arts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a lock-in guidebar assembly is provided for accurate positioning on a work surface in the graphic arts field. The assembly includes a moveable cross guidebar and a pair of elongated side members each with a plurality of spaced fastener elements or mating members for attaching the side members or margins to the guidebar and a pair of sets of fastener elements, one set attached to each end of the movable cross guidebar for engaging individually the fastener elements on the adjacent elongated side member to attach the guidebar to the side members. The fastener elements secured to each end of the cross bar are spaced so that the distances between the fastener elements on the cross bar differ from the corresponding distances between the fastener elements on the elongated side members so that the guidebar may be securely positioned at intervals smaller than the distance between adjacent position posts on the side members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A delineation of further objectives and advantages of the present invention will now be made by a more complete description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention in a normal arrangement for use;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a jig rule or one form of an elongated side member;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a jig rule;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of a lock-in guide connected to an elongated side member or jig rule;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross section of a portion of a lock-in guide, a connector and a jig rule showing the manner in which the guide may be fastened to the jig rule. The cross section is taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross section across the lock-in guide along line 6-6 as shown in FIG. 4. The section shows the manner of securing the individual connectors to the lock-in guide;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the numerous lockin positions which may be achieved with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A normal work arrangement for a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The lock-in guide assembly 10 consists of a first elongated side member or jig rule 11 with a plurality of evenly spaced mating members, fastener elements or elevated position posts 12, a second elongated side member or jig rule 14 with a plurality of spaced fastener elements or elevated position posts 15, and a moveable cross guidebar or straight edge guide 16. A first set of fastening elements or connectors 18 are secured to a first end of the guide 16. Individual connecting units 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the first set of connectors 18 are slidably attached to the first end of the guide 16 by the cover plate 24. The individual connectors have slotted ends such as 21a which may be attached to anyone of the elevated position posts 12 of the jig rule 11 by sliding the connector 21 outward from the end of the guide 16 thereby fixedly attaching the guide 16 to the jig rule 11.

In a similar manner a second set of connectors 26 is secured to the second end of the straight edge guide 16 so that the individual connecting units 28, 29, 30 and 31 are slidably attached to the guide 16 by means of the cover plate 32. The individual connecting units have slotted ends such as the slotted end 30a so that the connectors may be extended and attached to anyone of the elevated position posts 15 on the jig rule 14 thereby positioning and fixedly attaching the guide 16 to the jig rule 14.

In use the jig rules 11 and 14 may be mounted on the margins of a drawing board 35 with double stick tape or other attaching means such that the jig rule 14 is parallel to the jig rule 11 and individual position posts or mating members 15 on jig rule 14 are located on lines perpendicular to the elongated edge of jig rule 1 1 and extending from corresponding position posts 12 on the jig rule 11. After jig rule 11 and 15 have been attached to the drawing board or work surface 35, the movable straight edge guide 16 may then be positioned and fixedly attached to the jig rules 11 and 14 by means of the connector sets 18 and 26. The guide then provides a guiding edge for positioning and holding drafting instruments such as a triangle 36, said guiding edge having the advantages of not slipping like a T-square and of being capable of being returned to exactly the same position whenever the appropriate connectors are attached to the proper elevated position posts on the jig rules 11 and 14. A scale or reference grid 17 can be made an integral part of the guide 16 to aid positioning along the edge ofthe guide 16.

FIG. 2 shows the top view of a portion of one form of the jig rule 11. As shown the jig rule 11 is an elongated plastic member with equally spaced elevated position posts 12 and a standard inch scale 37.

FIG. 3 shows an elevation view of the jig rule 11. The jig rule 11 consists of a main plastic body 110 and a series of equally spaced elevated position posts 12.

FIG. 4 shows a more detailed top view of the second set of connectors 26 attached to the second end of the straight edge guide 16 to provide means for connecting the guide 16 to the second elongated side member or jig rule 14. The second set of connectors 26 consists of the more or less rectangularly shaped individual connectors or fastener elements 28, 29, 30 and 31. Each individual connector has a U-shaped slot cut in one end. The respective slots 28a, 29a, 30a and 31a are cut to an appropriate size so that they may be slipped over any individual elevated position post 15 to fit snugly and securely to the post. To the individual connectors 28, 29, 30 and 31 are respectively attached handles 28b, 29b, 30b and 31b. The handles are threadably attached to the corresponding individual connectors and may be respectively moved within the corresponding slots 28c, 29c, 30c and 31c in the cover plate 32. The cover plate 32 holds the individual connectors onto the cross guidebar 16 to which it is attached by means of screws 38, 39, 40 and 41.

As indicated in FIG. 4, the distance 51 between the slotted ends 28a and 29a of the individual connecting units 28 and 29, the distance 52 between the slotted ends 29a and 30a of the individual connecting units 29 and 30, and the distance 53 between the slotted ends 300 and 31a of the individual connecting units 30 and 31 are each different from the distance 54 by which the elevated position posts 15 are spaced from adjacent position posts.

In a particular model of the preferred embodiment, the elevated position posts 15 are one-eighth inch in diameter, protrude vertically approximately one-sixteenth inch and have a spacing distance 54 between post centers of one-fourth inch. For that model, the distances between slotted ends of individual connecting units are as follows: the first distance 51 is three-eighths inch; the second distance 52 is five-sixteenths inch; and the third distance 53 is three-eighths inch. With this particular model of the preferred embodiment, the movable straight edge guide may be fixedly attached at intervals of onesixteenth inch over the entire length of the side jig rules.

FIG. is a vertical cross section of a portion of a lock-in guide, a connector and ajig rule taken along line 55 of FIG. 4. As shown'in the figure, the movable straight edge guide 16 has a cover plate 32 attached to it by screw 39. An individual connecting unit 29 fits slidably between the guide 16 and the plate 32. A handle 29b is threadably attached to the individual connecting unit 29. Through an elongated slot 29c in the cover plate 32, the handle 29b permits the individual connecting unit 29 to be moved back and forth a short distance parallel to the long dimension of the movable straight edge guide 16 and also serves to secure the individual connecting unit 29 to the cover plate 32.

As shown in FIG. 5, the individual connecting unit 29 is fully extended so that the U-shaped slotted end 29a of the individual connecting unit 29 is fastened around the elevated position post 15 which is an integral part of the second jig rule 14. The movable straight guide 16 may be unfastened from the second jig rule 14 by moving the handle 29b in the elongated slot 290 in the direction away from the second jig rule 14 thereby causing the individual connecting unit 29 to move in the space between the cover plate 32 and the movable straight edge guide 16 away from the second jig rule 14so that the U- shaped slotted end 29a of the individual connecting unit 29 is no longer fastened to the elevated position post 15 of the second jig rule 14.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross section across the lock-in guide along line 6-6 as shown in FIG. 4. In the section, the movable straight edge guide 16 is shown fastened to the cover plate 32 by screws 38 and 41. Between the guide 16 and the cover plate 32 are held the individual connecting units 28, 29, 30 and 31 of the second set of connectors 26. The handles 28b, 29b, 30b and 31b are respectively, threadably attached to the corresponding individual connecting units 28, 29, 30 and 31. The handles are individually movable in elongated slots in the cover plate 32 and secure the individual connecting units 28, 29, 30 and 31 to the cover plate 32.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the numerous lockin positions which may be achieved with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. When the individual connecting unit 28 of the second set of connectors 26 is fastened to the elevated position post 15b, the straight edge 16a of the movable straight edge guide 16 is located at position 42a. When the individual connecting unit 31 is fastened to the elevated position post 15f, the straight edge 16a is located at position 42b. When the connecting unit 29 is fastened to post 150, the straight edge 16a is located at position 42c. When connecting unit 30 is fastened to post 15d, the straight edge 16a is located at position 42d. Finally when connecting unit 28 is fastened to post 15a, the straight edge 16a is located at position 43. If the movable straight edge guide 16 had had only the one connecting unit 28, the straight edge 16a would have been capable of being positioned only at positions 42a and 43 by respectively fastening the connecting unit 28 to posts 15b and 15a. The plurality of connecting units 28, 29, 30 and 31 spaced at distances differing from the uniform spacing between posts 15a, b, etc., make it possible to position the straight edge 16a at intervals smaller than the distance between posts 15 on the jig rule 14.

Thus it may be seen that the preferred embodiment satisfies the objectives of this invention since it provides a jig rule assembly in which the guide crossbar may be positioned securely on side position posts or mating members at intervals which are smaller than the interval between the fixed side position posts. With the assembly, a firm guidebar may be easily and accurately positioned at anyone of a set of locations which extend the entire length of the working area of the assembly and are separated from adjacent locations by a small constant distance. The assembly may be used in drafting or other graphic arts. It is capable of providing all of the advantages of the jig rule assemblies in use today and in addition makes it possible to fixedly position the guide member at many more locations than are possible with tools of the prior art.

The individual connecting units of the preferred embodiment are more or less rectangularly shaped metal plates with a U-shapecl slot in one end which may he slipped over an elevated position post on a side jig rule. In other embodiments of the invention, the individual connecting units or fastening elements could be plastic extensions of the cross guide with circular holes in them for fitting over the top of the cylindrical posts on the side jig rules or they could be fasteners of rectangular shape to fit over rectangular position posts on a jig rule. In each case, however, the distance between individual connecting units on the guidebar would differ from the space interval of the position posts on the side jig rules.

As indicated above, the preferred embodiment of the invention provides a lock-in guidebar assembly for accurate positioning on a work surface. The assembly comprises a movable cross guidebar, a pair of elongated side members each with a plurality of spaced fastener elements, mating members or elevated position posts for attaching the ends of the cross guidebar to the elongated side members or margins of the work surface and means for selectively fastening the guidebar to the elongated side members at position intervals different from the spaced distances between the spaced fastener elements on the elongated side members. The sets of fastener elements or connectors secured to each end of the cross guidebar for engaging individually the elevated position posts on the two elongated side members consist of members individually extendable beyond the ends of the guidebar with means for being selectively attached to any one of the position posts on the elongated side members or jig rules.

The invention has been described in connection with the foregoing embodiment thereof. It is to be understood that further modifications of the assembly may now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus having a guidebar which is movable over a work surface and may be fixed relative thereto at regular intervals by engaging fastening elements on each end of said guidebar to evenly spaced mating members positioned along the margins of said work surface, the improvement which comprises:

first, second and third fastening elements on each end of said guidebar, the spacing between the first and second of said elements being unequal to the spacing between the second and third element, and each of said fastening elements being spaced from the other at a distance which is unequal to the distance between the mating members positioned along the margins of the work surface so that said guidebar may be fixed at intervals along said work surface unequal to the distance between said mating members.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including a fourth fastening element on each end of said guidebar, the spacing between said fourth fastening element and said third fastening element being unequal to the distance between the second element and the third element.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said evenly spaced mating members positioned along the margins of said work surface are elevated position posts on jig rules.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the said evenly spaced mating members positioned along the margins of said work surface are elevated position posts on a jig rule.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the said fastening elements on each end of said guidebar are sets of connectors individually extendable beyond the ends of the guidebar with means for selectively attaching on each end of the guidebar anyone of the individual connectors to anyone of the said elevated position posts on the said jig rule.

6. A lock-in guidebar assembly for use on a plane surface comprising:

a movable straight edge guidebar;

a first elongated side member with a plurality of equally spaced elevated position posts for attaching a first end of the said guidebar;

a second elongated side member with a plurality of equally spaced elevated position posts for attaching the second end of the said guidebar;

first, second and third fastening elements secured to the first end of the said guidebar for engaging individually the elevated position posts on the said first elongated side member to attach the first end of the guidebar to the first elongated side member, said fastening elements being spaced from each other at distances which are different than the distance between position posts on the first elongated side member and the spacing between said first and second elements being unequal to the spacing between said second and third elements; and

first, second and third fastening elements secured to the second end of the said guidebar for engaging individually the elevated position posts on the said second elongated side member to attach the second end of the guidebar to the second elongated side member, said fastening elements being spaced from each other at distances which are different than the distance between position posts on the second elongated side member, and the spacing between said first and second elements being unequal to the spacing between said second and third elements.

7. The assembly of claim 6 including:

a fourth fastening element on each end of said guidebar, the spacing between the fourth fastening elements and the third fastening elements on the corresponding end being unequal to the distance between the third fastening elements and the said second fastening elements on the corresponding end.

8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein:

the first, second, third and fourth fastening elements secured to the ends of the guidebar are members individually extendable beyond the ends of the guidebar with means for selectively attaching any one of the individual fastening elements to any one of the said position posts on the first elongated side member, said individual elements being so spaced that the guidebar may be fixedly positioned at intervals smaller than the distance between position posts on the first elongated side member. 

1. In an apparatus having a guidebar which is movable over a work surface and may be fixed relative thereto at regular intervals by engaging fastening elements on each end of said guidebar to evenly spaced mating members positioned along the margins of said work surface, the improvement which comprises: first, second and third fastening elements on each end of said guidebar, the spacing between the first and second of said elements being unequal to the spacing between the second and third element, and each of said fastening elements being spacEd from the other at a distance which is unequal to the distance between the mating members positioned along the margins of the work surface so that said guidebar may be fixed at intervals along said work surface unequal to the distance between said mating members.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including a fourth fastening element on each end of said guidebar, the spacing between said fourth fastening element and said third fastening element being unequal to the distance between the second element and the third element.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said evenly spaced mating members positioned along the margins of said work surface are elevated position posts on jig rules.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the said evenly spaced mating members positioned along the margins of said work surface are elevated position posts on a jig rule.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the said fastening elements on each end of said guidebar are sets of connectors individually extendable beyond the ends of the guidebar with means for selectively attaching on each end of the guidebar anyone of the individual connectors to anyone of the said elevated position posts on the said jig rule.
 6. A lock-in guidebar assembly for use on a plane surface comprising: a movable straight edge guidebar; a first elongated side member with a plurality of equally spaced elevated position posts for attaching a first end of the said guidebar; a second elongated side member with a plurality of equally spaced elevated position posts for attaching the second end of the said guidebar; first, second and third fastening elements secured to the first end of the said guidebar for engaging individually the elevated position posts on the said first elongated side member to attach the first end of the guidebar to the first elongated side member, said fastening elements being spaced from each other at distances which are different than the distance between position posts on the first elongated side member and the spacing between said first and second elements being unequal to the spacing between said second and third elements; and first, second and third fastening elements secured to the second end of the said guidebar for engaging individually the elevated position posts on the said second elongated side member to attach the second end of the guidebar to the second elongated side member, said fastening elements being spaced from each other at distances which are different than the distance between position posts on the second elongated side member, and the spacing between said first and second elements being unequal to the spacing between said second and third elements.
 7. The assembly of claim 6 including: a fourth fastening element on each end of said guidebar, the spacing between the fourth fastening elements and the third fastening elements on the corresponding end being unequal to the distance between the third fastening elements and the said second fastening elements on the corresponding end.
 8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein: the first, second, third and fourth fastening elements secured to the ends of the guidebar are members individually extendable beyond the ends of the guidebar with means for selectively attaching any one of the individual fastening elements to any one of the said position posts on the first elongated side member, said individual elements being so spaced that the guidebar may be fixedly positioned at intervals smaller than the distance between position posts on the first elongated side member. 